Cavaliers have let a golden opportunity slip to qualify for the Mount Isa T20 final in their game vs Blackstars at Captain Cook Oval.
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Blackstars batted first and Matt O’Neill was back in the pavilion early. In form batsmen Ash Benson (33) and Andrew Cullis (28) took charge before Cullis fell leaving the Stars 2/69 at drinks. Trent Cameron (52) displayed some fine clips off his pads to lift the run rate. Jamie Stewart and Luke Saunders rallied late with 28 and 9 not out to finishing at 4/171. Jason Wellington picked up two wickets, Jason Naylor one while Shane McKay was pick of the bowlers with 1/24 from his four overs.
Sam Peters and Jason Naylor opened for Cavaliers. Peters (51) showed why he is the form batsmen of the comp with lofty blows over the ropes. He and Naylor (40) went to drinks 0-82 and Cavaliers were in control. But with the loss of Peters at 1-94 things started to unravel.
Corey Barram (13), Jason Wellington (2) and Dale Grice (4) fell quicklyn. Scott Giles (16 no) and Chad Moon (13 no) steadied as Cavs finished short on 6/155. Matt O’Neill was best bowler with 3/34. Ash Benson with two wickets and Alistair Baker with one also chipped in.
Later in the day Blackstars continued their undefeated season with an eight wicket win over Western Bulls. Bulls elected to bat. Morrisby opened the batting and top scored with 35. When Morrisby fell Blackstars makeshift bowling attack tightened the screws. Anderson (16), J Diamond (27) and D Kelly (21) had difficulty pushing the scoring rate up. The Bulls finishing at 6/133. Alistair Baker was top bowler with 2/21 while Paul Ogier, Jimmy Stewart, Rick Bailey and out of retirement Bob Tyrell each claimed a wicket.
Blackstars got off to a horrific start losing the early wickets of Ash Benson (3) and Rick Bailey (0) and reeling at 2/3. However that would be the end of the joy for the Bulls as the returning Ian Barlow and Jamie Stewart took control of the match. Barlow bludgeoned 67 runs, 64 of those runs from boundaries or sixes. Stewart joined in the party as well with 62 not out as he continued on his great run of form with a season average of 151 thanks to a spate of not outs. Nick Diamond was the only bowler to claim wickets with 2/22, while Kyle Anderson was unlucky to finish with 0/38.
